Intel Xeon Phi 7290

The Intel Xeon Phi 7290 is a 72-core, 288-thread Knights Landing processor that delivers a massive multi-threaded workload capacity, placing it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs benchmarked. With a 14 nm process node and a base clock of 1500.00 MHz boosting to 1700.00 MHz, this processor is designed for high-throughput server and workstation environments, though its performance profile is heavily skewed toward parallel processing rather than single-thread responsiveness. The benchmark data shows a processor that is an absolute powerhouse for heavily threaded applications, but one that demands a workload specifically engineered to exploit its unique architecture.

Benchmark Performance

The Xeon Phi 7290’s average benchmark score of 53469 places it in a tight competitive cluster. It sits just 0.5% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7313P, which scores 53206, and 2% ahead of the Intel Xeon Gold 5320H at 52431. Conversely, it trails the Intel Core i7-14700F by 1.2% (which scores 54097) and the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X by 1.8% (at 54450). This near-parity in average scores, however, masks dramatic differences in workload-specific performance. The Xeon Phi 7290 achieves its average through extreme multi-threaded scores, while its rivals rely on more balanced performance.

In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 15163 is the headline figure, demonstrating the processor’s ability to sustain heavy parallel loads. This result is complemented by a Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 6368 and a Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 1528. PassMark’s multithread test shows a score of 17839, while integer math reaches 126922 and floating-point math hits 47417. Data compression is a standout at 564535, and random string sorting scores 68593. These numbers indicate that the processor excels in tasks that can utilize all 288 threads simultaneously.

The extended instructions score of 41517 reflects the Knights Landing architecture’s strength in vectorized workloads. However, the find prime numbers score of 114 is notably low, suggesting that certain integer-heavy algorithms do not scale well on this architecture. The physics score of 2257 and data encryption score of 12505 are moderate, indicating that the processor’s performance is not uniform across all multi-threaded tasks. The benchmark results clearly show that the Xeon Phi 7290 is a specialist: it delivers exceptional throughput in scalable, parallelizable compute tasks, but its average score relative to rivals is kept in check by weaker performance in other areas.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The disparity between single-thread and multi-thread performance is the defining characteristic of the Xeon Phi 7290. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2140 is drastically lower than the multi-core score of 15163, and this pattern repeats across all benchmarks. PassMark single-thread score is 485, while the multithread score is 17839 — a ratio of roughly 37 to 1. Similarly, Cinebench R20 single-core scores 898 versus 6368 multi-core, and Cinebench R15 single-core is 215 versus 1528 multi-core. The base clock of 1500.00 MHz and boost clock of 1700.00 MHz are low by modern standards, which directly explains the modest single-thread scores.

This split means that the processor is entirely dependent on software that can spawn dozens or hundreds of threads. For workloads like video rendering, scientific simulation, or data analysis that are inherently parallel, the multi-thread scores are transformative. However, for single-threaded applications, the processor performs at a fraction of its multi-thread capability. The data suggests that any task that cannot be parallelized will run poorly, and the processor’s 288 threads will sit largely idle. The PassMark data encryption score of 12505 and physics score of 2257, which often rely on a mix of single and multi-thread performance, further illustrate this imbalance.

The 32 KB L1 cache and 512 KB L2 cache per core are modest, and with no L3 cache listed, the processor relies heavily on its memory subsystem and thread scheduling to keep cores fed. The low clock speeds are a deliberate trade-off to enable 72 cores within the 245 TDP. In practical terms, this processor is not a general-purpose CPU; it is a high-throughput compute accelerator that happens to use the x86 instruction set.

Who Should Consider It

The Xeon Phi 7290 is clearly aimed at server and workstation environments where massive parallel throughput is the primary goal. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15163 and PassMark integer math score of 126922 indicate that this processor is well-suited for scientific computing, financial modeling, and other heavy number-crunching tasks that can scale across 288 threads. The data compression score of 564535 is particularly strong, suggesting that data-intensive workloads like large-scale database processing or archival systems could benefit significantly.

For creative professionals, the processor’s multi-core rendering capabilities are compelling, given the high multi-thread scores in Cinebench. However, the single-core scores of 2140 in Cinebench R23 and 485 in PassMark single-thread would severely hamper tasks like photo editing, lightweight coding, or general desktop responsiveness. This is not a processor for office productivity or typical workstation use where single-thread performance matters. The PassMark find prime numbers score of 114 is a clear warning that even some computational tasks will perform poorly if they are not perfectly parallel.

Gamers should avoid this processor entirely; the single-thread performance is far too low for gaming, and the architecture is not designed for interactive workloads. The processor’s market segment is explicitly Server/Workstation, and the benchmark data reinforces that this is a niche product for high-performance computing clusters or specialized compute nodes. Users with workloads that can utilize 72 cores and 288 threads — such as large-scale simulations, deep learning inference, or big data analytics — will find the multi-thread scores exceptional. Those with mixed or single-threaded workloads should look elsewhere.

FAQ

Q: How does the Xeon Phi 7290 perform in multi-threaded workloads compared to its rivals?

A: The processor’s average benchmark score of 53469 is 0.5% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7313P and 2% ahead of the Intel Xeon Gold 5320H. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 15163, which is a strong indicator of parallel compute capability.

Q: What is the single-thread performance like?

A: Single-thread performance is low, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2140 and a PassMark single-thread score of 485. The base clock of 1500.00 MHz and boost clock of 1700.00 MHz are the primary reasons for this.

Q: What memory does this processor support?

A: The processor supports DDR4 memory with ECC memory support enabled. No memory bus or bandwidth details are available in the specifications.

Q: What socket does the Xeon Phi 7290 use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 3647, which is a server-class socket designed for high-core-count processors.

Q: Is this processor unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is not unlocked, so overclocking is not supported. The processor has a fixed thermal design power of 245 watts.

Q: What is the cache configuration?

A: The processor has 32 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core. There is no L3 cache listed in the specifications.

Power and Thermals

The Xeon Phi 7290 has a thermal design power of 245 watts, which classifies it as a high-power, high-performance processor. This TDP figure is substantial and directly correlates with the 72 cores operating at a 1500.00 MHz base clock. The 14 nm process node from Intel helps manage power efficiency, but the sheer number of active cores means that a robust cooling solution is mandatory. The data shows that the processor is designed for server racks or workstations with dedicated thermal management, not for standard desktop cases.

The boost clock of 1700.00 MHz is only 200 MHz above the base clock, indicating that the processor has limited thermal headroom for frequency scaling. This is typical for a many-core design where power distribution across 72 cores is a critical constraint. The 245 TDP implies that users need a high-end air cooler or liquid cooling solution to maintain sustained performance. In a server environment, this usually means high-static-pressure fans and optimized chassis airflow. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means that users cannot adjust voltages or frequencies to find a more efficient operating point, so the cooling solution must be designed around the stock 245 TDP specification.

Platform and Compatibility

The Xeon Phi 7290 is built on the Knights Landing architecture and uses the Intel Socket 3647. This socket is shared with other high-core-count Xeon processors, but the Knights Landing design is unique in its many-core layout. The processor supports DDR4 memory and includes ECC memory support, which is essential for server and workstation reliability. The memory bus and bandwidth are not specified, but the DDR4 support with ECC indicates a focus on data integrity in compute-intensive environments.

The processor does not list integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for any display output. The PCIe support is also not specified, which is notable for a server processor. The lack of PCIe details in the specifications suggests that users must verify motherboard compatibility for expansion slots. The 14 nm process node and 8,000 million transistors indicate a complex, high-density design. The production status is not listed, and the release date is 2016-06-19T17:00:00.000Z, meaning this is an older platform. The upgrade path is effectively limited to the Intel Socket 3647 ecosystem, and users should consider the platform’s age when planning long-term deployments.

How It Compares

AMD EPYC 7313P: The Xeon Phi 7290 holds a razor-thin 0.5% advantage in average score over the EPYC 7313P (53469 vs 53206). This near-tie is misleading, though. The EPYC 7313P likely achieves its score with far fewer cores and higher clock speeds, making it a more flexible processor for a wider range of workloads. The Xeon Phi 7290’s advantage in pure multi-threaded throughput is offset by its severe single-thread deficit.

Intel Core i7-14700F: The Core i7-14700F leads the Xeon Phi 7290 by 1.2% in average score (54097 vs 53469). This is a striking result because the i7-14700F is a consumer desktop processor, not a server part. The i7-14700F’s superior single-thread performance and higher boost clocks allow it to match the Xeon Phi 7290’s average, despite having far fewer cores. This comparison highlights how workload-specific the Xeon Phi 7290’s strengths are.

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X: The Ryzen 9 9900X is 1.8% ahead of the Xeon Phi 7290 in average score (54450 vs 53469). Like the Core i7-14700F, the Ryzen 9 9900X achieves this with a much lower core count but significantly higher clock speeds. For any mixed workload, the Ryzen 9 9900X is the better choice, but for pure parallel compute, the Xeon Phi 7290’s 288 threads can still outpace it in specific multi-threaded benchmarks.

Intel Xeon Gold 5320H: The Xeon Phi 7290 is 2% ahead of the Xeon Gold 5320H in average score (53469 vs 52431). This is the only rival where the Xeon Phi 7290 has a clear, if modest, lead. The Xeon Gold 5320H is a more conventional server processor, and the 2% average advantage suggests that the Xeon Phi 7290’s many-core design offers a real benefit for highly parallel server workloads, even if the margin is not overwhelming.